Finding Joy in Memories: D&D Ministries’ Weekend Trip

September 26, 2025September 25, 2025 RefreshHer2 Comments

Last weekend D&D Ministries headed to Indiana and Illinois. I was scheduled to speak at Camp Assurance in Danville, IL and then Dale preached and I taught the ladies’ Sunday school class in a church in New Richmond, OH.

I was excited to be going through Indiana – our “old stomping grounds.” We lived there for fourteen years – those were the years we raised our girls, and had some of the most difficult seasons of our lives. There were hard ministry issues, the death of our second daughter, a meager salary, and long work hours for Dale.

But as the Lord often does, He turned those difficulties into some of the most precious blessings, and also loaded us with many joys that outnumbered our sorrows. Of course we couldn’t see and recognize all those good things at the time. Those kind of perspectives sometimes take years to see. As we drove through the cities where we lived and served, the memories flooded my heart. But there were a couple other events that truly brought the emotions.

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Infant Death · unanswered prayer

When Your Heart is Breaking Over Your Unanswered Prayer

November 20, 2024 RefreshHerLeave a comment

You can listen to this post here on Refresh Here Podcast.

I wonder if there’s a prayer request that you have been praying for quite some time. Maybe God has said, “I’m going to answer that in a different way. “ Maybe you’ve heard God tell you that it’s going to be at a different time. And maybe just for right now anyway, God has said no. What do we do when we pray something and then God shuts the door? Do we just give up praying? Do we just give up hope that God will answer our prayer requests? Sometimes we learn that He answers in a way that is completely different than we ever imagined. Usually, always it’s that way, because our God is so much greater than we are.

We can’t even imagine the things that He is able to do. Sometimes God also answers in a time that is different than our own. We have this little timetable and we think God should answer between now and this time. When He doesn’t do that, we can like be in despair and wonder where is God and why doesn’t He love me? But we know that we can trust God because He is a wise God and He’s righteous, which means He always does that which is right and what’s right for me. Let’s think a little bit about the truth that when God says no, He is showing His love for me.”

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death · Infant Death

Comforting Those Who Grieve

November 20, 2019November 19, 2019 RefreshHer2 Comments

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Recently I got to spend time with a friend I hadn’t seen in years. As we sat and chatted, she reminded me that she and her husband had traveled to see my husband and me after our second daughter, Ashley was stillborn (You can read my story about that here.). She said, “I was so nervous about talking to you, but I remember thinking that I should ask you about Ashley. Continue reading “Comforting Those Who Grieve” →

Blog info · Empty Nest · Infant Death · Marriage

A Little More About Denise

August 22, 2018August 23, 2018 RefreshHer2 Comments

I’m left-handed. I hoard chocolate. My dresser drawers are usually a mess. I have an identical twin. I have a reputation as a prankster. I’m dangerous around fire. I crave Mexican food. I’m dreaming about writing a book.

You will find the words above in the “Meet Denise” page of my blog. Go here for more of the facts about my life. I thought it was really important in this section of my blog to really let ladies know who is behind the computer. By knowing a little about me, you’ll know better whether my posts would benefit you.

Today I thought I’d give you a few more details and be a little more personal about myself and my blog. Continue reading “A Little More About Denise” →